Employee Spotlight: an interview with our Group Business Director, Ian Robinson

Ian Robinson joined Central Pharma three years ago and has already been instrumental in many advances within the company. We caught up with him to find out more…

Introduction
Q: Ian, can you briefly describe your role at Central Pharma and tell us a little more about the company, its core services and what sets it apart in the pharmaceutical packaging space?

A: I’m responsible for driving business development and ensuring our packaging solutions align with both regulatory requirements and our customers’ evolving needs. Central Pharma provides a complete range of pharmaceutical, medical device and healthcare packaging and contract packing services — from blistering, bottling and labelling through to serialisation, warehousing and distribution. What sets us apart is our flexibility, our regulatory expertise, and our ability to respond quickly with tailored solutions that give customers confidence in both quality and compliance.

Insight
Q: What current trends are you seeing in the pharmaceutical packaging space and how do regulatory changes shape the solutions you offer?

A: We’re seeing growing demand for sustainable packaging, more use of digital traceability, and greater scrutiny on data integrity. Regulatory change is constant, so our solutions are built to be adaptable. We invest in technology, training and process improvements to ensure customers remain compliant without compromising speed to market.

Supply Chain and Customer Collaboration
Q: What would you say are the most important elements customers look for in a packaging partner?
A: Trust, compliance, and reliability. Customers want assurance that their partner can deliver consistently and manage risk effectively.

Q: How do you differentiate your offerings in a global and competitive market?
A: By combining agility with regulatory depth. We’re large enough to handle complex projects, but nimble enough to adapt to unique customer needs faster than many bigger providers.

Q: How do you ensure that the supply chain is resilient?
A: Through strong supplier relationships, dual sourcing strategies, and investing in technology to provide visibility across the chain. We also collaborate closely with customers so they can forecast and plan effectively with us.

Technology and Sustainability
Q: How is digital transformation playing a role in your business development or operations?
A: Digitalisation underpins everything from inventory management to serialisation. We’re moving towards real-time data capture and analysis, which improves both efficiency and compliance.

Q: As sustainability becomes ever more crucial in the pharma industry, what are Central Pharma’s plans over the next 5 years?
A: We’re reducing material waste, adopting recyclable packaging options, and investing in energy-efficient operations. Over the next five years, our goal is to make sustainability a standard expectation rather than an optional extra.

Quick fire…
Q. Most exciting project you’ve worked on?
A. Taking a Traditional Herbal Remedy in old fashioned packaging, re-designing the pack and transferring the entire manufacturing process.

Q. Your leadership style in one word?
A. Collaborative.

Q. A misconception about the healthcare packaging industry?
A. That packaging is just a “box on a shelf” — in reality it’s a critical part of patient safety, supply chain security, and brand trust.

Vision
Q: Where do you see the future of packaging headed over the next 5–10 years?
A: Toward smarter, more sustainable, and more connected solutions. Digital technologies and regulatory requirements will push the industry to deliver packaging that not only protects products but also safeguards patients and provides valuable supply chain data.

Q: What’s next for you and Central Pharma?
A: Continuing to grow our capabilities, invest in people and technology, and build partnerships that make us the packaging partner of choice across Europe and beyond.

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